Core clutch



Aug. 2, 1966 Filed June 30, 1964 H. F. DALGLISH CORE CLUTCH FV/A 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENIOR fiL-WBE/PT F Omens/1 ATTORNEY Aug. 2, 1966 H. F. DALGLISH 3,263,933

CORE CLUTCH Filed June 30, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent 3,263,938 CORE CLUTCH Herbert F. Dalglish, 284 Cherokee Ave., St. Paul, Minn. Filed June 30, 1964, Ser. No. 379,097 Claims. (Cl. 242-72) This invention relates to an improvement in core clutch and deals particularly with a simple and effective device forlocking the core of a roll of material to a mandrel during winding and unwinding of material from the core.

In .the winding and unwinding of material wrapped about a core, some means is usually necessary for preventing the rotation of the core relative to the supporting shaft or mandrel. In some instances, this is accomplished by providing a notch in an end of the core which is designed to receive a projection on the shaft or mandrel. This projection acts as a key for ins-uring'rotation of the core and mandrel in unison. While such a structure works effectively, it involves considerable expense due to the necessity of notchi-ng the ends of the cores. It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for automatically gripping the core as the core tends to rotate relative to the shaft or mandrel, thereby providing an automatic means for rotating the core and shaft or mandrel in unison.

Many products supplied to the trade are wound about a tubular core oftentimes formed of spirally wound paperboard and the like. For example, paper and paperboard is usually supplied in rolls of this type. During the winding and unwinding of such material upon the cores, it is usually necessary to provide a means of holding the core from rotation relative to the supporting shaft or mandrel. An object of the present invention resides in the provision of a clutch structure which will function automatically to hold the core from rotation upon the shaft or mandrel, the device being operated by a slight rotative movement of the core relative to the shaft or mandrel.

An object of the present invention resides in the provision of a clutch which in its simplest form, comprises one or more angularly spaced triangular bars secured in grooves in the surface of the clutch or mandrel to extend axially thereof, the bars projecting slightly beyond the peripheral surface of the chuck or mandrel when seated against the based the groove. Relative rotation of the core with respect .to the chuck or mandrel acts to pivot the bar about one corner of the triangular section causing an increase in radius of the outermost portion of the bar which comprises another corner of the triangle. As a result, each such triangular bar is forced outwardly into the core, holding the core from rotation relative to the clutch.

In the preferred form of construction, the clutch includes a series of triangular bars arranged in grooves extending parallel to the clutch axis, and in providing a means of holding the triangular bars in the grooves. 'In usual form, one -face of the triangular bar rests against the base of the groove. 'For maximum penetration of the core during rotation in one direction, the bar may be right triangular in cross-section. If the cross section of the bar is an equilateral triangle, slippage of the core in either direction relative to the clutch will cause the triangular bars to pivot about the apex between two adjoining surfaces of the triangular bar causing another corner of each bar to move outwardly into firmer engagement with the core.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the fact that my clutch may, if desired, comprise in effect an overriding clutch or one way clutch which will lock the clutch and core from relative rotation in one direction, but will permit relative rotation in the opposite direction. This may 'be accomplished by employing bars having a right triangle cross sectional shape rather than a unilateral 3,263,938 Patented August 2, 1966 "ice cross sectional shape so that rotation of the core in one direction relative to the clutch will not pivot the triangular bars.

A further feature of a modified form of construction of clutch lies in the provision of a cylindrical chuck body or a mandrel having angularly spaced grooves which are substantially wider than the triangular bars positioned therein. In this construction the base of the groove is on a plane normal to a plane through the axis of the chuck or mandrel. When the triangular bars are centrally located in the grooves, the apex of the triangle most remote from the base of each groove engages but slightly into the core or extends but slightly beyond the periphery of the chuck or mandrel surface. However, as the triangular bars slide tangentially toward a side edge of the groove, the apex of the triangle digs more deeply into the core so that the core is held more effectively even before the triangular bars tend to fulcrum about an apex thereof.

A further feature of another form of construction of clutch lies in the provision of a cylindrical surface having two closely spaced grooves therein extending parallel the axis of the clutch. Each of the grooves contains a bar which is of right triangular cross section, .and the bars are arranged in opposed relation so that one bar will engage the core upon relative rotation in one direction, while the other bar will engage the core upon relative rotation in the opposite direction.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the fact that the triangular shape of the bar may be somewhat modified -to be trapezium shape so that the base of the groove containing each of the bars may be slightly V- shaped in section rather than on a common plane. In this construction, the bars function substantially the same as two bars of triangular section connected along one plane side, each triangle functioning to prevent relative rotation between the clutch and the core in one direction.

These and other objects and novel features of the present invention will be more clearly and fully set forth in the following specification and claims:

In the drawings forming a part of the specification;

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view of a chuck mounted upon a shaft and showing the position of the core in section.

FIGURE 2 is an end view of the clutch shown in FIG- URE 1, a portion of the clutch being broken away substantially along the line 2--2 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the chuck showing the position of the clutch bars when the core is being positioned thereon.

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to FIGURE 3 showing the position of the clutch bars upon relative rotation of the core in one direction.

FIGURE 5 is a side elevational view of one of the clutch bars.

FIGURE 6 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 but showing an attachment for the clutch to adapt the clutch for use with notched cores.

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged sectional view through the construction illustrated in FIGURE 6, the position of the section being indicated by the line 77 of FIG- URE 6.

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view through a core and illustrating an end view of a modified form of clutch.

\F'IGURE 9 is a view similar to FIGURE 8 showing another modified form of clutch construction.

FIGURE 10 is a view similar to FIGURES 8 and 9 showing a third modified form of clutch construction.

FIGURE 11 is a view similar to FIGURES 8-10 showing a fourth modified form of clutch construction.

FIGURE 12 is a cross-sectional view through a fifth modified form Q ..,l1 -.9 s. 2a-

' FIGURE 13 is a modified form of clutch.

In the present description, the word clut-c has been used to describe ingeneral the means for locking the core for rotation in unison with the shaft. Devices which are removably mounted uponthe shaft are commonly known as core chi-ucks. However, the present structure may also be incorporated directly in the mandrel supporting the core, and for this reason the term clutch has been used as a generic term to include either the removable core chuck or the mandrel structure.

The preferred form of construction is illustrated in FIGURES 17 of the drawings which shows the applioants clutch structure embodied in a core chuck. The clutch A comprises a sleevelike body which is supported upon a shaft 10. The body is indicated in general by the numeral 11 and includes a relatively smaller diameter end 12 and a relatively larger diameter opposite end 13. The small diameter end 12 is preferably beveled at its extremity as indicated at 13 to facilitate insertion of the small diameter portion 12 into the hollow core B.

The body 11 is provided with a series of angularly spaced generally rectangular grooves 14 therein, the struc ture illustrated including three such grooves. The grooves 14 are of generally rectangular cross section, with the bases of the grooves at right angles to a radial plane including the axis of the shaft and with the side edges of the grooves parallel and in substantially right angular relation to the groove bases. The grooves 14 have one end 15 which is in spaced relation to the tapered end extremity of the small diameter body portion 12 and have their opposite end 16- in closely-spaced relation to the end edge 17 of the large diameter portion 13. The end portions of the grooves 14 "are enlarged circumferentially as indicated at 19 and 20, respectively, to facilitate the machining of the grooves.

A clutch bar 21 is positioned in each of the grooves 14 and is substantially coextensive therewith. As is perhaps best illustrated in FIGURES 3 and 4 of the drawings, the clutch bars 21 are preferably substantially triangular in cross section, the bars being arranged with one surface 22 resting flat against the base of the groove 14 and with a right angular face of the bar 23 normally resting fiat against one of the sides 24 of the groove 14. The remaining surface 25 of each bar 21, which forms the hypotenuse of the right triangle is accordingly longer than either of the other two sides, and usually the two sides are of equal width. The side 23 of the clutch bar 21 which rests against the side of the groove engages the groove side which lies on the leading edge of the groove 14 in the intended direction of travel of the clutch. In the arrangement illustrated in FIGURES 3 and 4, the side of the groove against which the edge 23 of the triangle bar engages forms the leading edge of the groove when the clutch is rotating in a clockwise direction as indicated by the arrow 26.

The clutch bars are held in. position in the grooves to normally assume the position illustrated in FIGURE 3 when the clutch is not in operation. The large diameter portion 13of the clutch'body is provided with a peripheral groove 27 which intersects the axially extending grooves 24 intermediate the ends thereof. A resilient band 29 is releasably positioned in the groove 27 to encircle the clutch bars 21 and to hold them engaged in the grooves 14. This retaining member 29 may comprise an elastic band,'an expandable split ring of metal or plastic usually havingoverlapping ends or may comprise an endless helical spring which is ofa diameter'normally smaller than the diameter of the base of the groove 27. The resilient retaining ring 29 may thus permit the pivotal movement of the clutch bars 21 within the grooves 1 4, but holds them engaged.

FIGURE 7 of the drawings, which shows the clutch body, discloses a radially extending threaded aperture 30 in the large diameter portion 13 thereof for accom- -modation ,ofa ,set screw, 31 ,engageable. against the shaft.

10 to hold the clutchbody=from -rotation relative to the shaft. The end of the large diameter portion 13 which adjoins the smaller diameter portion 12 provides an abutment 32 against which the end ofthe core B may engage to limit the insertion of the 'clntch intothe' core, and to hold the core in proper relation to the shaft.

A recess 33 is provided in the outer surface of the small diameter body portion 12 near the shoulder or abutment 32. A coaxial threaded aperture 34 extends through the body portion 12 at the center of the recess 33. A circular core look 35 is engageaible in the recess 33 and comprises a cup-shaped body having an axial socket 36 in its outer surface and an axial aperture 37 extending the remainder of the thickness of the core lock in coaxial relation to the threaded aperture 34. A bolt 39 extends through the base of the core lock and into the threaded aperture 34 to secure the core lock in position projecting from the surface of the reduced diameter body portion 12 near the shoulder or abutment 32.

' The purpose of this arrangement is to accommodate metal cores such as B having notched ends 40. One such core is illustrated in FIGURE 6 of the drawings. This arrangement enables the same clutch to be used either with a paper core of the type which has been described'or a permanent core such as are sometimes employed in the industry, thereby eliminating the requirement for two dififerent types of clutches to fit the two different types of cores.

3 FIGURE 8 of the drawings discloses a modified form of construction which is also used for. securing the core B upon a clutch A. The clutch A may be identical with that previously described and may include a series of angularly spaced grooves 14 having a flat base surface 22 which is arranged on a plane normal to a plane through the axis of the clutch, and a pair of parallel right angularly extending side walls 24. The groove 14 of FIG-,

- the core B. With this arrangement, when the clutch A is rotated in a clockwise direction as indicated by the arrow 46, and the relative rotation of the core B will tilt the bar 41 about the apex of the barybetween. the surfaces 42 and 44, tilting the face 44' toward the right hand side wall 2-4 of the groove. When the clutch is rotated in a counterclockwise direction as indicated by the arrow 47, the relative rotation between the clutch and the core will tilt the bar 41 about the apex between the surfaces 42 and 43, swinging the bar surface 43 toward the left hand wall 24 of the groove 14. This form of construction thus differs from that previously described in that the core will be locked to the clutch regardless of the direction of rotation of, the clutch.

In the arrangement illustrated in FIGURE 9, the clutch A is identical to that previously described. However, in place of the grooves 20 which are of a width substantially equal to the width of the locking bars, grooves 50 are provided which are substantially wider than the locking bars- The locking bars 51 are shown as provided with sides of equal length and are therefore similar or identical to the locking bars 41 which were previously described.

When there is no core mounted on the clutch, the locking bars 51 tend 'to remain in the center portion of the grooves '50 due to the tension of the spring 32. position, the sides 52 at their point of juncture with the In this base 53 are spaced from the side walls 54 of the groove as shown in full lines in FIGURE 9.

When the core B tends to rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow 55, the locking bar 51 slides along the base 56 of the groove '50, causing the apex 57 of the triangular bar to penetrate into the core B a greater distance. This action may continue until the bar 51 reaches the position illustrated in dotted outline at the left side of the groove 50. If the relative rotation continues, the bar 51 will then pivot about the juncture between one of the sides 52 and the base 53 of the bar. On the right hand side of the groove 50 is shown in dotted outline the extreme opposite position of the bar 51 in which one of the sides 52 is pivoted against an end wall 54 of the groove 50, andthe apex 57 of the triangle has penetrated the core to its maximum depth.

FIGURE 10 of the drawings shows an additional modified form of construction in which the clutch A is identical to that previously described except for the fact that the clutch body is provided with parallel longitudinal grooves 60 and 61 which are arranged in pairs. Locking bars 62 and 63 are positioned in the grooves 60 and 61, respectively. The bars 62 and 63 are right triangular in cross section and are arranged in opposed relation. Rotation of the core B in the direction indicated by the arrow 64 will not affect the locking bar 63, but will pivot the locking bar 62 in a manner to cause the apex 65 of this bar to penetrate deeply into the core. Rotation of the core B in the direction indicated by the arrow 66- will cause the apex 67 of the bar 63 to penetrate deeply into the core as indicated in dotted outline. During rotation in this direction, the bar 62 will remain in the position illustrated in the drawings.

The structure shown in FIGURE 11 of the drawings is quite similar to the arrangement illustrated in FIGURE 9, but is slightly different. The main point of ditference lies in the fact that the clutch A is provided with a series of grooves 70 in angularly spaced relation, the base surfaces of which are not on a single plane, but are on two planes which converge at the center line. In other words, each groove 70 includes a pair of substantially parallel end walls 71 which are connected by convergingba-se Walls 72 and 73 which meet along a center line of convergence 74. The locking bars 75 which are provided in the slot 70 could conceivably be triangular in outline. However, in order to conform to the base of each slot 70, the locking bars 75 are trapezium shaped so as to more effectively center itself with respect to the groove.

In effect, each locking bar 75 comprises two triangular areas of equal size and shape being integrally joined together along a center line. In other words, each looking bar includes a pair of angularly related base panels 76 and 77 which are normally in contact with the base portions 72 and 73 of the groove 70, and a pairof Outer faces 79 and 80 of equal length which join along a line of apex 81. The apex 81 normally projects slightly beyond the periphery of the portion 16 of the clutch 0 that the apex will extend slight-1y into the core B as the core is applied to the clutch.

Upon relative movement of the core B in the direction indicated by the arrow 82, the locking bar 75 will slide along the base plane 72, this movement causing the penetration of the locking bar into the core B more pronounced. In other words, the action is identical with that of the construction shown in FIGURE 9, except for the fact that the locking bar will dig more deeply into the core. Upon movement of the core B in the direction indicated by the arrow 83, the looking bar 75 will slide along the base portion 73 of the groove 70 until the locking bar engages the end wall 71. At this point, further relative rotation will cause the locking bar to tilt as indi cated in dotted outline, causing the apex of the locking bar to penetrate more deeply into the core.

FIGURE 12 of the drawings diagrammatically illustrates still another type of locking bar used in conjunction with the clutch A. In the arrangement shown in these figures, the grooves which are formed in the clutch A include a flat side 85 which is on a plane generally radial with respect to the clutch axis, and the opposite side of the groove 86 is arcuate as indicated at 87. The locking bars 89 are segment shaped in cross section, the segment being defined by an arc 90 and a chord 91 connecting the endsof the arc. The arrangement is such that one side of the locking key projects beyond the surface of the portion 16 of the clutch.

Upon movement of the core B in the direction of the arrow 92, the locking bar 89 will fulcrum about the juncture between the groove sides 85 and 87 and will swing toward the dotted outline position indicated in FIGURE 12. This specific type of construction provides a directional clutch similar to that shown in FIGURE 8 of the drawings, and the main point of difference lies in the fact that the locking bars are not precisely triangular in cross section, although the structure closely approaches a triangular form. If desired, two such locking bars could be arranged in opposed relation much in the manner illustrated in the construction shown in FIGURE 10, if slippage in both rotary directions is to be prevented.

All of the structures which have been described have the advantage that when the locking bar fulcrums about an edge of the bar, the locking bar will penetrate to a greater extent into the body of the core B to limit the rotation thereof. This action is produced by having one surface of each locking bar angul-arly related to a radial plane through the axis of rotation of the clutch so that as the locking bar fulcrums, a second edge of the locking bar moves outwardly, tending to increase the penetration of the locking bar into the core. It is also important that the force against which the locking bar engages is readily resisted by a portion of the base of the notch in which the locking bar is supported.

FIGURES 8-12 of the drawings have been shown in diagrammatic form to simplify the illustration. It should be understood, however, that the locking bars are preferably held in place in their respective grooves by means such as the resilient spring 32 which usually engages the locking bars at a point intermediate the ends thereof.

In the interests of simplicity, all of the structures have been shown as a chuck body. FIGURE 13 of the drawings discloses an elongated mandrel 94 having spaced along its length peripheral grooves 95. Grooves 95.are intersected by angularly spaced grooves 96 which may be of the form shown in any of the figures of the drawings. The grooves 96 may contain locking bars of the type shown in the previous figures, and the grooves 95 may accommodate retaining springs for these locking bars or clutch bars. Thus the clutch is actually incorporated in the mandrel rather than in the separate chuck.

In accordance with the patent statutes, I have described the principles of construction and operation of my improvement in Core Clutch, and while I have endeavored to set forth the best embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understod that changes may be made within the scope of the following claims without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. A core locking device for use in connection with a tubular core including:

a rotatable member adapted to fit snugly within the core,

an elongated groove in the outer surface of said ro tatable member and extending parallel to the axis thereof,

said groove being formed of a plurality of surfaces in angular relation to provide a line of juncture therebetween,

a locking bar of substantially triangular cross-section positioned within said groove and including a pair of bar surfaces in angular relation to provide a fulcrum edge engageable with said line of juncture, one

of .the bar surfaces of said pair normally engaging one of said angularly related surfaces of said groove, the other bar surface of said pair diverging away from, and being wider than, the other of said angularly related surfaces of said groove and extending beyond the periphery of said rotatable member, whereby when said core encircles said rotatable member and rotates relative thereto in one direction, said locking bar will pivot about said fulcrum edge to swing said other bar surface toward \the other of said angularly related surfaces of said groove.

2. A core locking device for use in conjunction with a hollow tubular core, including a rotatable member adapted to fit snugly within the core,

an elongated groove in the surface of said rotatable member and extending generally parallel to the axis thereof,

said groove including a base portion and a pair generally parallel side walls connecting the ends of said base portion with the surface of said rotatable member,

a locking bar of substantially triangular cross section in said groove including a first bar surface normally in face contact with the base portion of said groove,

said locking bar including a second bar surface angularly related to said first bar surface and providing, with said first bar surface, a fulcrum edge therebetween,

said second bar surface diverging away from one of said side walls of said groove when said fulcrum edge is in face contact with the base portion of said groove,

said second bar surface being wider than said one side wall and projecting beyond the periphery of said rotatable member, whereby when said core encircles said rotatable member, relative rotation between said core and said rotatable member in one direction will cause said fulcrum edge of said locking bar to engage the juncture between said base portion of said groove and said one side wall thereof and to pivot said locking bar about said fulcrum edge toward said one side wall of said groove.

3. The structure of claim 2 and in which said locking bar comprises substantially an equilateral triangle in cross section.

4. The structure of claim 3 and in which the base portion of said groove is substantially wider than said first bar side.

5. The structure of claim 2 and in which said locking ba-r comprises substantially a right triangle in cross section :and includes a third bar surface at right angles to said first bar surface joining the edges of said first and second 'bar surfaces.

6. The structure of claim 2 and in which said locking bar includes a third bar surface connecting the edges of generally parallel side walls connecting the ends of said base portion with the surface of said rotatable member, a locking bar of generally triangular cross section in said groove and including three angularly related bar surfaces,

a first of said bar surfaces being normally in face contact with the base portion of said groove, and the line of apex between the other two of said surfaces extending beyond the periphery of said rotatable member,

at least one of said other bar surfaces being at anacute angle to said first bar surface and being of a width greater than the depth of said groove,

whereby when said rotatable member is engaged in the core and when the core rotates relative to the rotatable member, said bar pivots about the edge of said bar between said first surface and said one of said other bar surfaces.

8. The structure of claim 7 and in which the surfaces of said bar are of substantially equal width.

9. The structure of claim 7 and in which said one of said other bar surfaces is wider than the other two surfaces thereof.

10. A core locking device for use in conjunction with a hollow tubular core including,

I each said locking bar being arranged with one of said right angularly related sides normally in face contact with the base of its respective groove,

the apex between the other of said right angularly related sides and said wider connecting side projecting beyond the periphery of said rotatable member,

the juncture between said one of said right angularly related sides and said connecting side forming a fulcrum edge engageable with the juncture between said groove base and a side wall,

said connecting sides being arranged in opposed relation in said grooves whereby rotation of said core relative to said rotatable member in either direction will cause pivotal movement of a corresponding one of said bars about said ful crum edge thereof.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 676,335 6/1901 Moffatt 24246.3

775,850 11/ 1904 Norcross 24246.4 2,156,089 4/ 1939 Hinnekens 24268.2 2,171,800 9/ 1939 Mann 24272 3,038,679 6/1962 Pospiszel 24268.2

FOREIGN PATENTS 516,937 1/ 193 1 Germ-any. 139,151 2/1953 Sweden.

STANLEY N. GILREATH, Primary Examiner. 

1. A CORE LOCKING DEVICE FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH A TUBULAR CORE INCLUDING: A ROTATABLE MEMBER ADAPTED TO FIT SNUGLY WITHIN THE CORE, AN ELONGATED GROOVE IN THE OUTER SURFACE OF SAID ROTATABLE MEMBER AND EXTENDING PARALLEL TO THE AXIS THEREOF, SAID GROOVE BEING FORMED OF A PLURALITY OF SURFACES IN ANGULAR RELATION TO PROVIDE A LINE OF JUNCTURE THEREBETWEEN, A LOCKING BAR OF SUBSTANTIALLY TRIANGULAR CROSS-SECTION POSITIONED WITHIN SAID GROOVE AND INCLUDING A PAIR OF BAR SURFACES IN ANGULAR RELATION TO PROVIDE A FULCRUM EDGE ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID LINE OF JUNCTURE, ONE OF THE BAR SURFACES OF SAID PAIR NORMALLY ENGAGING ONE OF SAID ANGULARLY RELATED SURFACES OF SAID GROOVE, 